New: 3 U.S. secondary ticket brokers speak (anon) re inner workings of WC operations inc no. of tickets still available, millions of dollars made, discount spreadsheet circulated, WhatsApp groups, FIFA pricing & tips for fans. Free read @theathleticfc.bsky.social ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

News: California's attorney general has written to FIFA re: World Cup ticketing and stadium map changes. Requesting a variety of info from FIFA "to assess whether California law may have been violated." Story @theathletic.com:

When (if) Iran competes at the 2026 World Cup, it will be their national team’s second-ever visit to the United States. This is the little-known story of the first — a 2000 tour full of complexities and, most of all, joy. Feature @theathletic.com:

For decades, U.S. Soccer leaders dreamed of a national training center. But nobody could fathom how to build or fund one. This is the story of how, over the past 5 years, that NTC dream became reality. Feature @theathletic.com:

Argentina fans have provided dramatic backdrops to many FIFA World Cups. Now they find that passion comes at a cost as they are hit harder than most by FIFA’s dynamic ticket prices. “They are making business from our passion.” Our story from Buenos Aires www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/w...

Resale prices are dipping for nearly every World Cup match. A Category 1 ticket to the U.S. opener is listed for $1300, less than half FIFA's price. Most games still 💰, but for some, the trend is problematic for FIFA as it tries to sell remaining tickets. More (free) @theathletic.com:

For decades, U.S. Soccer leaders dreamed of a national training center. But nobody could fathom how to build or fund one. This is the story of how, over the past 5 years, that NTC dream became reality. Feature @theathletic.com:

🎧 The World Cup & War The Athletic FC special pod ep. Analysis/interviews on complexities of US/Iran conflict & wider regional crisis on WC, FIFA stance + ranging issues of other war impacted participants Haiti & DR Congo @theathleticfc.bsky.social Listen free now ⬇️ podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...

A column on Gianni Infantino, his attempted Israel-Palestine photo op, and the surreal FIFA world that emboldened him to plead for it. Free to read @theathletic.com:

Multiple demonstrations outside one of the FIFA hotels here in Vancouver. Among them: hotel workers demanding better wages. “No contract, no FIFA!” Also Palestinian activists calling out Gianni Infantino’s attempted photo op at the Congress earlier.

Good morning from the FIFA Congress, where FIFA VP Victor Montagliani told me and @henrybushnell.bsky.social where the onus lies to keep the Whitecaps in Vancouver: “What I’m hoping now, with this alarm bell that’s gone off, is that our politicians wake up to it.” @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Hello from FIFAland, aka Vancouver, site of tomorrow’s FIFA Congress. War and visa issues loom over it: www.nytimes.com/athletic/723... More to come today and rest of week

FIFA came to America promising a 2026 World Cup tourism boom. Politicians bought in. Hotels hiked prices to capitalize. But two months out, it isn't (yet) materializing. Story @theathletic.com on the boom trending toward a modest bump (if that):

Most World Cup tickets sell quickly. The exceptions have been games involving low-profile teams... and, remarkably, the high-priced U.S. opener. @theathletic.com has seen a document that shows sales for that match lagging behind others in LA, such as Iran-NZ. Story w/ @adamcrafton.bsky.social:

A couple weeks ago, Matt Crocker was still talking dreamily about the future of U.S. Soccer. But he was also "frustrated," he told me, by one of his main tasks. That's not (necessarily) why he left, but it speaks to what he's leaving behind. Unpacking Crocker's departure @theathletic.com:

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves federation for Saudi Arabian Football Federation just two months before the World Cup. As first reported by @dougmcintyre.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

New (seriously): FIFA has now created an extra ticket category to sell "front" row World Cup seats for double the price of Category 1 tickets — which supposedly could’ve yielded “front” row seats when bought months ago. Fans feel deceived. More @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

New: World Cup ticket buyers accuse FIFA of “misleading” them. Altered categories, seat maps that failed to disclose hospitality sections — "it's hard not to feel scammed," one fan told me. Full story free to read @theathletic.com:

When World Cup tickets went on sale months ago, the pricing structure was described as outrageous, and was met with a furious response. It has only gotten more expensive since. @henrybushnell.bsky.social describes how dynamic pricing has driven huge increases in ticket costs ⤵️

An analysis of 2026 World Cup ticket costs — AKA my gigantic spreadsheet, compiled via screenshots & info from fans over the past 6 months — reveals the full impact of FIFA's dynamic pricing so far. On average, Cat 1 prices up $201 since initial release. Free to read @theathletic.com:

A Category 1 ticket to the 2026 World Cup final now costs $10,990. FIFA has raised prices for dozens of matches, yet again, as the last sales phase begins. Story + details @theathletic.com:

We @theathletic.com have live coverage of USMNT-Portugal, including lineup analysis, right here: nytimes.com/athletic/liv... It's a fascinating starting 11, likely with Pulisic at striker — something that Pochettino hinted at yesterday.

The USMNT's World Cup Group: 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇦🇺 Australia 🇵🇾 Paraguay It's winnable. It's also losable. It's by far the most balanced group at the 2026 tournament.

Mauricio Pochettino watched Colombia-France and came away impressed by the intensity. I saw the Dempsey documentary and thought about the intensity that made him special. That intensity is a mandate for this (and any) #USMNT. www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

10 years ago, football did not recognise Kosovo. Tonight, they can qualify for the World Cup. A decade of challenges & resistance could bring "the most important day since independence". The symbolism goes beyond the pitch. Free to read @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

FIFA's newly mandatory "hydration breaks," implemented for the first time this month, have split opinion. They "annoyed" USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. But they've been valuable as "tactical breaks." "The game will change completely," Roberto Martinez said.

How, and why, did the USMNT unravel vs. Belgium? Lots of reasons, but one underlying factor: Poch went back to a formation that worked well in possession but left the U.S. exposed in transition — especially against the best player on the field:

A decade ago, on March 29, 2016, a skinny teenager from Hershey, Pa., stepped onto a field in Columbus for his #USMNT debut. 10 moments from 10 years of Christian Pulisic. "He pushes us to be great," Tim Weah said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

🎯 from @paultenorio.bsky.social:

“You put so much into it to get to that point." "Proving yourself each and every day is extremely important.” "You want to get on the team. So that was always in the back of your head.” On the pressure & intensity of March camp before a World Cup cut. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

I sat down with Gio Reyna at USMNT camp in Atlanta. Was struck by his optimism and gratitude — bit different from 2022. We also talked about his latest injury (a reoccurring one), his dog (whom he wanted to name "Messi"), and more. Feature @theathletic.com:

📍Atlanta Big, and busy, USMNT week. All 27 players here, healthy and training. (video ft. Weston giving Joe Scally some shit during rondos)

NEW @TheAthleticFC Fans from several countries participating in the World Cup must deposit up to $15,000 in bond payments to receive a tourist visa to enter the USA, while FIFA is *still* pressing Trump administration for exemptions for players. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

FIFA is forcing NFL stadiums to scrub all sponsor logos/branding for the World Cup — even on their roofs. But one roof proved so complex that it got an exemption. Story @theathletic.com:

Mauricio Pochettino spent much of 2025 disassembling and re-assembling the USMNT. The roster he announced yesterday, and that will convene next week in Atlanta to open 2026? It is, more or less, his re-assembled USMNT core.

Some USMNT players hated their 2022 World Cup kits — so much so that they held up a photoshoot in protest. “That,” Tyler Adams says, “started the conversation: next time around, let's have a say.” This is the story behind the 2026 kits, which players helped design, @theathletic.com:

USMNT players weren’t thrilled with their 2022 World Cup kits. Their reaction spurred change. It led U.S. Soccer and Nike to a new design process, with players involved at three distinct stages. And it led to the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup kits 📝 @henrybushnell.bsky.social bit.ly/47LY5ro

News: 69 U.S. Congresspeople have signed and sent a letter to FIFA expressing "great concern" re: World Cup ticket prices and the financial burdens on host cities. "Everyone is pissed," Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) tells @theathletic.com. More:

📍Baltimore, for D.C. United-Inter Miami Let’s play a game of “Where's Waldo” for D.C. United gear at this D.C. United “home” game…

FIFA will allow TV networks to cut to commercial breaks during the "hydration breaks" that will split up every half at the 2026 World Cup, sources tell @theathletic.com. More on the rules and context: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

100 days til the World Cup. Massive effort from 100+ folks across @theathletic.com and @theathleticfc.bsky.social to set the stage for a massive (and massively complex) event. Go dive in! ❓ www.nytimes.com/athletic/705... ⚽ www.nytimes.com/athletic/708... 🏙️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

When Messi and Son came to MLS, they brought their many social media followers with them. Meet the player you (might not) have heard of who boosted the Chicago Fire's social media following by more than half a million people. The Mbokazi Effect. www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

A week after Gianni Infantino claimed that “every” 2026 World Cup match is “already sold out,” FIFA... launched an unexpected sale of 2026 World Cup tickets. At least 64 of the 104 matches were available, according to fans who sent information and screenshots to @theathletic.com. 🤔 The takeaways:

101 days before the World Cup, a host nation is bombing a participant. An unprecedented situation that is, of course, way larger than sport, with implications that aren't yet clear. That said, if Iran can't or won't play... Explainer @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

The World Cup has been dragged into a U.S. government funding fight. @theathletic.com:

The latest 2026 World Cup ticket saga: emails with missing details, an unexpected "exclusive" sales window, lots of questions and confusion. More @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

Argentina. England. Netherlands. All base-camping in… Kansas City? This is the story of how the 2026 World Cup’s smallest host city wooed its giants — ft. BBQ, Topgolf, “red carpets,” and a battle for facilities that sent England scrambling: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Ahead of this summer's World Cup, FIFA has consistently claimed that the tournament is "for everyone." But as @melanieanzidei.bsky.social writes from personal experience, immigrant communities across the United States are increasingly feeling shut out of soccer's biggest show.

With Tudor in place as interim manager, confirms what I reported yesterday that sources around U.S. Soccer weren't concerned with Poch leaving. Might he take the Spurs job in the summer? Yes. But the focus now has to be squarely on the World Cup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

ICE won't rule out immigration enforcement around the 2026 World Cup. So, a security role that's relatively standard has stoked concerns that aren't going away. @theathletic.com, an explainer on ICE and the World Cup: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...